Improvement in bee-hives



@eine tatrs atrat @fitta JOHN J. LO,WE'R, TENNESSEE, ILLINOIS. 'LettersPate-nt No. 72,651, dated .December 24, 1867.

IMPROVEMENT nv Bes-inves.

TO ALL WHM IT MAY CONCERN:l V y Be it known that I, JOHN J. LOWER, ofTennessee, in the -county of McDonough, and'State of Illinois, haveinvented a new audimproved Bee-Hive; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full and exact description of the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference markedthereon.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view,

Figure 2 a sectional view of the moth-chamber,

Figure 3 a top view of the moth-chamber,

Figure 4 a perspective view of the sash-chamber,

Figure 5 one of the sashes removed,

Figure 6 the honey-box, A

Figure 7 a plan view of the inside of the honey-bornand Figure 8 aperspective view of the breeding-spiles.

This invention relates to certain improvements in bee-hives, whichconsist principally of a moth-box of peculiar construction, and a newarrangement of movable sash, as will be hereinafter fully described.

To enable others to make and use my invention, I willnow proceedtodescbe its construction and operation. Fig. l represents a perspectiveview of my bee-hive, which consists of three divisions, A, B, and C, the

lower of which, A, is the moth-box and bee-entrance, the middle of whichis the sash-box', and the upper of` which is the capr containing thehoney-box. As the' moth invariably seeks for -an entrance near thebottom of the hive, I locate the holes aya upon the bottom board,beneath the bee-entrance, for the purpose of freely admitting him.Connected with these apertures, upon the inside, are the breeding-spilesa a', which consist simply of suitable pieces of wood grooved upon theunder side. Slanting holes are cut through the latter, at the forwardend, to enable the moth to pass up into the'moth-chamber. Thebreeding-epilee a a are firmly attached to the piece a, serving as adoor, which fits snugly into the opening in the back, corresponding withit in shape. A piece of wood, a, attached to the bottom of the chamber,of Width sufficient to t in between the spiles, serves as a guide whenthe latter are being put in place after removal for any purpose. At thetop of the chamber, and near the centre, is placed the perforated plateam', for the purpose of allowing the scent of the honey to pass throughin'order to attract the moth.

The effect produced by this arrangement is as follows: The moth,endeavoring to eiect an entrance, is allured by the scent of the honeydescending through the perforated plate am', and passes in naturally bythe entrances a, where, finding a suitable place, it proceeds to depositits. eggs, and breed. When the beekeeper desires to clean his hive, hepulls out the door a, which brings with it, of course, thebreeding-spiles a', thus giving opportunity to clean the hive mosteiectually. As this operation is performed at the back side of the hive,it can be done without disturbing the bees in the slightest degree.

A represents the bee-entrance, projecting from the hive, and extendinginto the moth-chamber, where, forming a right angle, it passes up intothe sash-box. This entrance is perfectly tight, with the exception ofthe ends, and no communication whatever exists between the moth-chamberand the hive proper. B represents the sash-box, where the bees live,winter, and breed. This box is without bottom, to allow the bees to passfreely from. the entrance to any portion of it. The top is provided withthe long openings b 6 b for the pura pose of communication with thehoney-box. 5" 6" represent rods, firmly inserted into the front side ofthe chamber, near the top, and extending across from front to rear. b,tig. 5, represents a sash, removed from the box, the top of which isbevelled downward from each side to the centre, as is usual, for theattachment ofthe comb, through which extends the hole o, adaptedto thesize of the rods b2c, 12/ represents a projection upon one side of thesash, at its forward end, for the purpose of keepingthe sashes separatedfrom each other. 6 represents a pin, projecting downward .from thebottom of the front end of sash, which rests, when in place, in acorresponding socket, y, in the cross-piece Bl Holes a: are also made inthe door B, corresponding with the ends of the rods Zz, in such mannerthat when the door is closed, the ends of the rods may be held firmly byit.

The operation of this arrangement is as follows: The sashes b beingplaced upon the rods b', and lthe pin 6 being pressed into its socket,it will be perceived that, when the door is closed, the sashes arerigidly confined in their places, the rods and projections, with theholes in the door, securing their upper sides from movement, and the pintheir lower sides from the same. The sash next the box, upon the sideopposite to that upon which the projections 6 are placed, is providedwith a projection upon each side, the additional one being for thepurpose of keeping it from contact with the box.

I am aware that other arrangements somewhat similar to this have beenpatented; and I am familiar with the patent of Gushee St Dawes, October11, 1859. But experience has shown that these possess defects thatrender them unsuitable for the purposes desired. In all the movablesash-hives known tome, the sashes are not so arranged but that they aremore or less liable to move about, or rub one against the other when4the hive A is moved. In this way the bees are injured, and, in ease thesashes incline toward each other, the 4combs will be connected, andgreat dihculty will be experienced in taking them out.

All these objections are overcome in my arrangement. The sashes are xedimmovably when in place, and the hive can be turned or moved in anydirection without fear of injuring the bees. The sashes also are Scseparated that no contact-can take placebetween the combs, and they canbe removed at pleasure. The door, in this case, also opens from theback, to avoid interference with the bees.

C represents the honey-box, provided upon eachside with glasscorresponding with glass in the cap C, in order that the progress `.ofthe work may be readily observed. Upon the rear side is placed the holec, with button, c', the former corresponding with one of the ventilatorsof the cap C for the purpose of driving. the bees down when it isdesired to take the honey from the box. The'cap C is provided withventilators cu in front and rear, with buttons c for covering them whendesired. C represents a. door, one on each side, covering glasscorresponding with glass in the honey-box. A similar door in the back ofthe sash-box allows inspection in that quarter.

The whole combination and arrangement of this hive is simple anddesirable. The moth-chamber is believed to be an .effectual safeguardagainst this great enemy of the bee. The movable sashes are simplyarranged, and are free from the objections ordinarily attached to them.The honey is easily accessible in the cap. The hive is well ventilated,and the temperature can be regulated by means of the buttons c. Thedivisions of the hive are also convenient, allowing it to be taken topieces and thoroughly cleansed when desired.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The moth-chamber A, with its entrances a, breeding-spiles a', doora", and perforated plate am', substantially as described.

2. The movable sashes b, with projections b', and pins 6, when combinedwith rods 5', sockets y, and

holes z, substantially as described.

' J. J. LOWER.

Witnesses:

H. W; GANsEN, Jos. EATON.

